3 more stars Astros need to sign after Jose Abreu move

2. Andrew Benintendi would fill need Astros are trying to address

One of the reported desires for Houston in free agency this offseason is to add a lefty corner outfielder to the lineup. While Yordan Alvarez has begun his ascension to superstardom as a lefty in the outfield, this team is still quite heavy on the right side of the plate, something that the Abreu signing doesn’t do anything to alleviate.

Possibly the best option for Houston to answer this need would be to get one over on the hated Yankees and make a run at Andrew Benintendi, who New York added at this year’s trade deadline from the Kansas City Royals.

Benintendi enjoyed one of the best overall seasons of his career as the former Red Sox outfielder slashed .304/.373/.399. Unfortunately for him and the contract he’ll sign this offseason, he was a relative non-factor for the Yankees after he was traded as injuries limited him to only 33 games and he clearly never got the full opportunity to settle in with his new team.

Even still, Benintendi would be a perfect bottom-of-the-order lefty for the Astros to bring into the building. He can hit for some power to add some pop there but he has proven to be reliable in getting on base and also provided plus value on the basepaths. With the big bats that Houston can bring to the plate, that type of presence in a 7-8-9 run of the lineup could be exceedingly dangerous.